Case for storing and handling thin flat products

ABSTRACT

A compact disc casing as defined by first or major and second or minor casing members collectively defining a narrow chamber for housing a thin circular article, such as a compact disc. The second or minor casing member functions as a handle which can be grasped by a person to introduce and/or remove a compact disc relative to the case and an associated utilization device, such as a computer, absent tactile or finger contact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a case for storing and handling thin flatproducts, such as CDs (compact discs), DVDs (digital versatile disc),video game discs, etc., particularly for front-loading applications,i.e., computers.

One of the most common storage cases for CDs is a “jewel case” which isformed by two pivotally connected plastic members, each of a generallysquare or polygonal outline. One of the plastic members is a case coverand the other is a case body or housing having a central stylus orprojection for receiving and locating a compact disc relative to thecase body. The case cover is pivoted to the case housing by a hinge in aconventional manner for opening and closing the case to access the CDtherein. Opposite side edges of the case body are relieved to allow auser to manually grip edges of the CD to grip the CD for manipulation,such as inserting the CD into a front-loading computer or inserting theCD back into the “jewel case.” The latter manipulation requires the useof two hands, one hand for holding the “jewel case” and the other forgripping and manipulating the CD. Using two hands is disadvantageous formany reasons, particularly when associated with loading and unloadingCDs relative to use during the driving of a motor vehicle. However,irrespective of the use environment, the very fact that the CD must bemanually grasped and manipulated is undesired because of the potentialfinger/hand contact with the recorded portion of the CD.

Recognizing the undesirability of handling CDs and utilizing two handsfor CD manipulation, efforts have been made to construct compact disccases or holders with ejection mechanisms, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,590,768 in the name of Hilton et al. Other compact disc casesor storage devices which include loading and unloading mechanismsinclude U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,119 B1 in the name of Ezawa et al.; U.S.Pat. No, 5,334,904 in the name of Kramer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,470 in thename of Alayer de Costomore de Arc; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,283,281 and6,450,331, each in the name of Pandolph et al. and U.S. Pat. No.6,467,616 in the name of Hegarty et al. The latter patents and thefollowing listed patents were found during a search of the records ofthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: 4,694,957 Ackeret 4,705,166Ackeret 4,771,883 Herr et al. 5,000,316 Lerner 5,265,721 Castritis5,495,939 Castritis 5,574,716 Uchida 5,590,769 Lin 5,593,031 Uchjida5,662,216 Nesbitt et al. 5,676,246 Gloger 5,695,053 Koh et al. 5,706,939Yu 5,799,783 Cheris et al. 5,819,930 Yu 5,881,872 Frick 5,936,935Hanakawa et al. 5,944,180 Koh et al. 5,954,197 Bitzig et al. 5,984,093Frick 5,984,094 Frick 6,024,214 Cowan 6,032,794 Yu 6,036,008 Hutton6,070,722 Ng 6,182,825 B1 Butcher 6,600,541 Yu

Though the latter identified related prior art is reflective of compactdisc cases, none individually or collectively disclose an extremely lowcost case for storing compact discs which can be readily manipulatedsuch that a compact disc can be inserted in and removed from a chamberof the case and/or a utilization device (computer) by an individualusing but a single hand absent tactile contact with the compact disc.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with the present invention, a novel compact disc/CD case isprovided in the form of a relatively flat and narrow housing have anexit/entry opening along one edge thereof. A CD chamber is defined bytwo substantially intimately adjacent walls of a first or major casehousing or body of the CD case, each having a substantially U-shapedslot, opening, cutout or notch opening through and/or in part definingthe narrow exit/entry opening of the chamber. Another second or minorcase housing or body of the CD case in the form of a handle is definedby two walls which are pivotally connected to each other and betweenwhich is grasped an edge of a compact disc. The configuration of twoedges of the two walls of the handle complement the U-shaped opening ofthe CD case first case body which allows the handle to be slid into andout of the U-shaped slot which likewise effects insertion and removal ofa CD gripped by the handle when inserted into or removed from theexit/entry opening of the first case body. While the CD is still grippedby the handle which is in turn gripped by the user, the user cantransport the CD to an appropriate utilization device, such as acomputer, CD player, etc. Upon inserting the CD into the utilizationdevice, the handle pressure is released, the handle is withdrawn, andthe CD is drawn into the utilization device absent any tactile contact.After ejection from the utilization device, the handle is again utilizedto grip a peripheral edge portion of the CD to withdraw the same fromthe utilization device and again, absent tactile contact, reintroducedinto the first case body with the handle seated complementary within theU-shaped slot thereof. When thus assembled with the handle and the CDretained in the first case body, the CD case can be appropriately storedin any conventional CD storage rack. In this manner the handle forms aportion of the case in the storage mode of operation of the case and CD,yet through single hand manipulation the handle and CD can beappropriately manipulated without tactile contact of the CD duringrelative transport of the CD to and from and/or between the CD caseand/or first case body and the utilization device.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a case for storing and handlingarticles, such as compact discs, absent tactile contact, and illustratesfirst major and second minor case housings, bodies or members whichcollectively define a narrow chamber for a compact disc with one of thecase members defining a handle for gripping a peripheral edge of thecompact disc.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the case of FIG. 1, and illustratesthe handle gripping a peripheral edge portion of an associated compactdisc prior to insertion into or after withdrawal of the compact discfrom a narrow chamber of the first or major housing.

FIG. 3 is an exploded top perspective view of the case, including themajor and minor case members thereof, and illustrates the manner inwhich the major housing member is formed of two pieces snap-securedtogether and the minor housing member is formed of two pieces pivotallyconnected together and normally biased by a spring to an open position.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along line4-4 of FIG. 1, but illustrates the handle and compact disc onlypartially inserted into the chamber of the major case body.

FIG. 5, which appears on the sheet of drawing containing FIG. 3, is anenlarged fragmentary exploded cross-sectional view taken generally alongline 5-5 of FIG. 3, and illustrated tongues and slots of the majorhousing bodies for interconnecting the same to form the unitized firstcompact disc case or housing.

FIG. 6, which appears on the sheet of drawing containing FIG. 1, is anenlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6-6of FIG. 1, and illustrates protuberances of pivotally connected handlemembers of the handle frictionally engaging inner surfaces of oppositewalls of the major case housing to frictionally retain the major andminor case housings in assembled relationship.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A housing or case 10 for storing and handling a substantially thin,flat, circular article A, such as compact disc, CD-rom, DVD, forutilization with front-load computers, video games, CD car players,etc., absent tactile contact or hand contact with the user thereof, isbest illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The compact disc Aincludes means M upon at least one surface thereof for generating audioand/or video when associated with a utilization device, such as acomputer.

The case 10 includes first means 11 in the form of a major or firsthousing, member or body for defining a relatively narrow chamber ormajor chamber C having a narrow exit/entry opening O through which canpass the article A, such as a compact disc of a generally annularconfiguration defined by an outer circumferential edge C_(e) and aninner circular opening O₁.

The case or housing 10 is further defined by second means 12 in the formof a minor or second housing member, body or handle which performs thedual function of gripping the article A adjacent the circumferentialedge C_(e) thereof absent tactile contact (FIGS. 2 and 4) and closingthe case 10 (FIG. 1).

The first or major housing, member or body 11 of the case 10 is definedby two substantially identically contoured injection molded plasticmaterial walls 21, 22.

The wall 21 of the first case member 11 includes a centrally locatedslot or recess 23 (FIG. 3) of a generally U-shaped configuration whichterminates at a front edge 24 having opposite ends ending at adownwardly directed peripheral wall 25 having a semi-cylindrical wallportion 26. The wall 22 likewise includes a generally U-shaped slot orrecess 33 (FIG. 3) opening through an edge 34 having ends merging withan upwardly directed peripheral wall 35 having a semi-cylindricalperipheral wall portion 36. A narrow upwardly projecting locating rib 37of the peripheral wall 35 extends from the corner (unnumbered) definedby the edge 34 and the peripheral wall 35 (FIG. 3) to a mid point(unnumbered) of the semi-cylindrical wall portion 36. An upwardlyopening locating channel 38 extends from a right corner (unnumbered) ofthe edge 34 and the peripheral wall 35 (FIG. 3) to and along theperipheral wall 36 to a mid point of the semi-cylindrical wall portion36. The upwardly projecting locating rib 37 of the wall 22 (FIG. 3)opposes a downwardly opening locating channel 28 of the wall 21 and theupwardly opening locating channel 38 of the wall 22 similarly opposes adownwardly projecting locating rib 27 (FIG. 3) of the wall 28. When thewalls 21, 22 are properly aligned incident to assembly thereof, thelocating ribs 27, 37 are seated within the locating channels 28, 38,respectively, as is best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Six identical means 40 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5) are collectively defined bythe walls 21, 22 for snap-securing and retaining the walls 21, 22 in theassembled relationship thereof (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). The securing means 40are defined by three identical tongues 41, each having a latching nose42 (FIG. 5) which project into a tongue-receiving opening 43 beyondwhich is a latching surface 44 against which each latching tonguelatches when the walls 21, 22 are fully assembled. During such assembly,the latching tongues 41 are biased inward as each latching nose 42progressively passes through the tongue-receiving opening 43 until apoint is reached at which each nose 42 rebounds into engagement witheach associated latching surface 44, as can be readily visualized inFIG. 5. As is most evident from FIG. 3, three latching tongues 41 andthree tongue-receiving openings 43 are associated with each wall 21, 22.

Interior surfaces (unnumbered) of the walls 21, 22 may preferablyinclude a plurality of shallow, generally parallel, ribs 59 along whichthe article or compact disc A can slide during the insertion and removalthereof relative to the chamber C to preclude surface damage to thecompact disc A, particularly with respect to the surface thereof havinginformation M electronically stored thereupon. The ribs 59 are placed onthe inner surfaces of both walls 21, 22 to prevent or reduce such damageto the compact disc A no matter which side thereof is adjacent either ofthe walls 21, 22.

The second or minor housing, member or body 12 of the case 10 is definedin part by walls or handle members 61, 62 (FIGS. 1-4) having respectiveperipheral edges 63, 64 imparting a generally outer frusto-conicalconfiguration to each of the handle members 61, 62. The handle members61, 62 define therebetween a relatively narrow minor chamber C_(M)within which is housed a peripheral edge portion of the article A (FIGS.2 and 4). A generally U-shaped wall 65, 66 of the respective handlemembers 61, 62 corresponds in configuration to the U-shaped slots orrecesses 23, 33 of the walls 21, 22 of the first case member 11.Outboard of each U-shaped wall 65, 66 are four projections 70 (FIG. 3)located at each corner (unnumbered) of each handle member 61, 62 andinboard of each U-shaped wall 65, 66 are a plurality of relativelyclosely adjacent groups of gripping ribs 71, 72. The projections 70 ofeach of the handle members 61, 62 align with and are received in shallowrecesses 50 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) of the walls 21, 22 of the first casemember 11 for retaining the case members 11, 12 in the assembled orunified relationship or position which is best illustrated in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings. Means 75 in the form of a shallow curved relatively softnon-marring friction material or friction means (FIG. 3) are locatedalong an innermost surface (unnumbered) adjacent an innermost edge 79 ofeach of the handle members 61, 62 for increase the frictional purchaseof the case member 12 when utilized as a handle or clamp duringmanipulation of the compact disc A, as will be described more fullyhereinafter.

A generally U-shaped metal spring 76 having legs 77, 78 each providedwith an opening 89 is located between the handle members 61, 62 with alocating projection 81, 82 (FIG. 4) of the respective handle members 61,62 being received in each openings 89 of the legs 77, 78. A plurality ofhubs 84 each having a cylindrical bore 85 project respectively upwardlyand downwardly (FIG. 3) from the handle members 62, 61 and a hinge pin86 passes through all of the cylindrical bores 85 and between the legs77, 78 of the U-shaped spring 76 (FIG. 4) to bias the edges 79 of thehandle member 61, 62 carrying the friction material 75 toward each otherinto abutting relationship in the absence of the compact disc A and intogripping engagement with the compact disc A when located therebetween(FIGS. 2 and 4). If the compact disc A is clamped between the handlemembers 61, 62 of the minor case member 12 when the latter is fullyinserted into the U-shaped slots 23, 33 (FIGS. 1 and 6) with theU-shaped walls 65, 66 seated thereagainst, the projections orprotuberances 70 are engaged in the shallow recesses 50 (FIGS. 1 and 6)to retain the two case members 11, 12 of the case 10 fully closed. Inthis condition the case 10 and the associated compact disc A can beappropriately stored.

In order to remove the compact disc A from the compartment C, the userneed but grip the handle or clamping member 12, preferably at thegripping ribs 71 of both handle members 61, 62, apply pressure theretowhich disengages the projections 70 from the shallow recesses 50 andpermits the handle 12 and the now-gripped compact disc A to be removedfrom the chamber C, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. While still grippingthe handle or clamp 12, the user can insert the exposed portion of thecompact disc A (FIG. 2) into an appropriate utilization device, such asa computer, laptop, video game, CD car player, absent tactile/fingercontact with the compact disc A. Upon such insertion, the user pressesthe ribs 72, 72 of the handle members 61, 62 toward each other raisingthe opposite ends or edges 79, 79 of the handle members 61, 62 adjacentthe friction material 75, 75 to free the compact disc A for utilization.Upon utilization and ejection of the compact disc A, the handle 12 isagain gripped and the ribs 72, 72 are depressed or squeezed to open theopposite end of the handle 12 at the edges 79, 79 to facilitate theintroduction of the compact disc A between the handle members 61, 62after which the gripping ribs 72, 72 are released and the gripping ribs71, 71 are pressed toward each other to assure the compact disc A isgripped between the anti-friction material 75, 75. Thereafter, thecompact disc and the handle 12 are reinserted into the first case member11 in the assembled condition of the case 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Inthis manner an extremely inexpensive device is provided for storing andhandling virtually any substantially thin and flat article, absenttactile contact therewith.

In further accordance with the present invention, the projections 70 andthe recesses 50 can be eliminated and lieu thereof the opposing surfacesof the walls 21, 61 and 22, 62 can be produced in a “soft grip”synthetic plastic/copolymeric material similar to that found on gripends of ballpoint pen housings. Such material is scratch-resistant orabrasion-resistant and since somewhat resilient and possessing a highco-efficient of friction, the anti-friction material 75, 75 can also beeliminated. The frictional grip between the walls 61, 62 and 21, 22,respectively, achieved by the construction and characteristics of thematerials of these wall themselves and the tension offered by theU-shaped spring 76 is sufficient to retain the second handle or casemember 12 housed within the first case member 11 with or without thecompact disc A housed between the walls 61, 62.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specificallyillustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minorvariations may be made in the apparatus without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

1. A housing for storing and handling an article absent tactile contacttherewith comprising first means for defining a chamber within which anarticle is adapted to be protectively housed, second means for receivinga portion of an article absent tactile contact therewith, and thirdmeans for effecting selective unification and separation of said firstand second means whereby an article can be respectively inserted in andremoved from said chamber by handling said second means absent tactilecontact with the article.
 2. The housing as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid first means defines a relatively narrow chamber.
 3. The housing asdefined in claim 1 wherein said first means defines a relatively narrowchamber open at least along one edge thereof.
 4. The housing as definedin claim 1 wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamberopen at least along one edge thereof, and said one edge defines arelatively narrow entry and exit opening of said chamber.
 5. The housingas defined in claim 1 wherein said second means is constructed andarranged for gripping and releasing a portion of an article.
 6. Thehousing as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means is constructedand arranged as a releasable clamp.
 7. The housing as defined in claim 1wherein said first and second means include respective first and secondwall portions in substantially registered relationship with each otherwhen unified by said third means.
 8. The housing as defined in claim 1wherein said first and second means include substantially matingconcavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationshipwith each other when unified in association with an article inserted insaid chamber.
 9. The housing as defined in claim 1 wherein said thirdmeans is defined by a friction fit between said first and second means.10. The housing as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means isdefined by at least one protuberance for creating a friction fit betweensaid first and second means.
 11. The housing as defined in claim 1wherein said first means defines a relatively narrow chamber open atleast along one edge thereof, and said first means includes a convexouter wall portion opposite said one edge.
 12. The housing as defined inclaim 1 wherein said first and second means each include first andsecond opposite walls located in relatively close spaced relationship toeach other, and said first walls being disposed in a first substantiallycommon plane and said second walls being disposed in a secondsubstantially common plane when said first and second means are unifiedin association with an article inserted in said chamber.
 13. The housingas defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second means each includefirst and second opposite walls located in relatively close spacedrelationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a firstsubstantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in asecond substantially common plane when said first and second means areunified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, andmeans for biasing said second means first and second walls to grip anarticle located between the first and second walls thereof.
 14. Thehousing as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second means eachinclude first and second opposite walls located in relatively closespaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in afirst substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed ina second substantially common plane when said first and second means areunified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, saidfirst walls include wall portions in substantially registeredrelationship with each other when unified by said third means, and saidsecond walls include wall portions in substantially registeredrelationship with each other when unified by said third means.
 15. Thehousing as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second means eachinclude first and second opposite walls located in relatively closespaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in afirst substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed ina second substantially common plane when said first and second means areunified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, saidfirst walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions insubstantially registered relationship with each other when unified bysaid third means, and said second walls include substantiallyconcavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationshipwith each other when unified by said third means.
 16. The housing asdefined in claim 12 wherein said first and second means each includefirst and second opposite walls located in relatively close spacedrelationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in a firstsubstantially common plane and said second walls being disposed in asecond substantially common plane when said first and second means areunified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, saidfirst walls include wall portions in substantially registeredrelationship with each other when unified by said third means, and saidsecond walls include wall portions in substantially registeredrelationship with each other when unified by said third means.
 17. Thehousing as defined in claim 12 wherein said first and second means eachinclude first and second opposite walls located in relatively closespaced relationship to each other, said first walls being disposed in afirst substantially common plane and said second walls being disposed ina second substantially common plane when said first and second means areunified in association with an article inserted in said chamber, saidfirst walls include substantially concavo-convex wall portions insubstantially registered relationship with each other when unified bysaid third means, and said second walls include substantiallyconcavo-convex wall portions in substantially registered relationshipwith each other when unified by said third means.
 18. A device forstoring and handling a substantially thin and flat article absenttactile contact therewith comprising first and second housings, saidfirst housing including first and second walls disposed in relativelyclose spaced relationship to each other thereby defining a substantiallynarrow major chamber adapted to house a major portion of a substantiallythin and flat article, said first and second walls having respectivefirst and second edges defining therebetween an entry/exit opening ofsaid narrow major chamber, said second housing including first andsecond walls disposed in relatively close spaced relationship to eachother thereby defining a substantially narrow minor chamber adapted tohouse a minor portion of a substantially thin and flat article, saidsecond housing first and second walls being constructed and arranged forinward motion relative to each other upon the application of externalopposing tactile forces thereto whereby a minor portion of asubstantially thin and flat article can be gripped therebetween foreffecting entry and removal of a major portion of the substantially thinand flat article relative to said narrow major chamber through saidentry/exit opening, and said second housing first and second wallshaving respective first and second wall portions in substantial registrywith said first housing respective first and second edges whereby saidentry/exit opening is at least partially closed when a substantiallythin and flat article is substantially entirely housed within said majorand minor chambers.
 19. The device as defined in claim 18 includingmeans for biasing said second housing first and second walls toward eachother and into griping engagement with a minor portion of asubstantially thin and flat article.
 20. The device as defined in claim18 wherein said first housing first and second edges each have firstedge portions in substantially registry with said second housing firstand second walls, and a wall of said second housing opposite said secondhousing first and second walls is substantially aligned with second andthird edge portions of said first housing first and second edges when asubstantially thin and flat article is substantially entirely housedwithin said major and minor chambers.
 21. The device as defined in claim18 wherein said first housing first and second and said second housingfirst and second walls are in substantially concavo-convex relationshipto each other.
 22. The device as defined in claim 18 including asubstantially thin and flat article and said substantially thin and flatarticle includes means for producing at least one of sound and video.23. The device as defined in claim 19 wherein said first housing firstand second edges each have first edge portions in substantially registrywith said second housing first and second walls, and a wall of saidsecond housing opposite said second housing first and second walls issubstantially aligned with second and third edge portions of said firsthousing first and second edges when a substantially thin and flatarticle is substantially entirely housed within said major and minorchambers.
 24. The device as defined in claim 19 wherein said firsthousing first and second and said second housing first and second wallsare in substantially concavo-convex relationship to each other.
 25. Thedevice as defined in claim 19 including a substantially thin and flatarticle and said substantially thin and flat article includes means forproducing at least one of sound and video.
 26. The device as defined inclaim 23 wherein said first housing first and second and said secondhousing first and second walls are in substantially concavo-convexrelationship to each other.
 27. The device as defined in claim 23including a substantially thin and flat article and said substantiallythin and flat article includes means for producing at least one of soundand video.